Timothy Ziemlewicz, MD, of Madison-based University of Wisconsin, and colleagues retrospectively assessed a FDA-approved CAD system in second-reader mode.
The system examined 347 consecutive adults undergoing a CTC evaluation over five months.
Experienced CTC radiologists interpreted the results and performed an optical colonoscopy if needed. Researchers also collected third-party reimbursement data over an 18-month period.
Here’s what they found:
1. Approximately 69 patients had 129 polyps.
2. CAD sensitivity was 91.3 percent with per-polyp CAD-alone sensitivity at 88.4 percent. For 6- to 9-mm polyps, sensitivity was 88.3 percent, and for polyps 10 mm or larger, sensitivity was 88.6 percent.
3. Researchers identified 3 polyps that were 6mm or larger during a subsequent optical colonoscopy. The computer marked them, but were dismissed during CT colonography as false-positives.
4. The mean number of false-positive CAD marks was 4.4 ± 3.1 per series.
5. Concerning reimbursement, third-party payers covered 31 percent of total charges.
Researchers concluded, “In our routine clinical practice, CAD showed good sensitivity for detecting colorectal polyps 6 mm or larger, with an acceptable number of false-positive marks. Importantly, CAD is already being reimbursed by some third-party payers in our clinical CTC practice.”
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